Target to open earlier Thanksgiving Day

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Target Corp. is the latest retailer to open earlier on Thanksgiving this year.

The Minneapolis-based discounter said it will open at 8 p.m. on the holiday — an hour earlier than last year. Stores will remain open throughout the night and close at 11 p.m. on the day after Thanksgiving known as Black Friday.

Target also will offer hundreds of deals online Thanksgiving morning that will include almost all deals that will be available in stores. In addition, Target said it will feature 15 online-only daily discounts for two weeks beginning the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Traditionally, Black Friday has been the kickoff to the holiday season, with stores opening at 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. But over the past several years, retailers have pushed opening times into Thanksgiving itself.

This year, several retailers such as J.C. Penney, Kohl’s and Macy’s have announced plans to open Thanksgiving evening for the first time. Others, such as Toys “R” Us and Best Buy, are opening earlier Thanksgiving than last year.